Electric condenser



Aug. 21, 1923.

1,465,264 F. G. GoLDsToNE 4 ELECTRIC CQNDENS ER Filed sept. 14, 1920 2sheets-sheet l Fig-4 T12/venan GoldstoneJ Aug. 21, 1923. 1,465,264

F. G. GOLDSTONE ELECTRIC CONDENSER Filed sept. M, 1920 2 sheets-sheet 2Izw emi I 6. G o MLS-bone) jf' pfff/6M.

lPatented Aug. 21, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFICE.

FREDERICK GEORGE GOLDSTONE, OF PLUMSTEAD, LONDON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TOJOSEPH FRANCIS BERNARD AND JOHN BRUCE BOLITHO, OF LONDON, ENGLAND.

ELECTRIC CONDENSER.

Application led September 14, 1920. Serial No. 410,211.

To all/whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK GEORGE 'GoLDsToNI-z, a subject of the King`of Great Britainv and Ireland, and residing at 66 Dalline Road,Plumstead, London, S. E. 18, England, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in or Relating to Electric Condensers, of which thefollowing is a g specification. l

This invention relates to electric condensers and more particularly tothat type known as variable condensers in which alterations in thecapacity of the condenser .can be elliected.

An object of the present invention is to provide a variable condenserwhich is more elicient and is better adapted to stand wear and tear thanthose at present in use, and which is simple and cheap to manufacture.

According to the invention the condenser comprises a plurality(comprising two series, positive and' negative) of vcondenser surfaceelements each of ywhich is in the nature of a shell or cup of suitableshape or forin such as is described o'r generated by the revolution orpartial revolution of a line about an axis, the line meeting or cuttingthe axisat two points, and Vfurther comprises means for varying thecapacity of the condenser elements.

For practical purposes a shell, described or generated by the partialrevolution ofa semicircle about its diameter, is probably the mostsuitable, but other forms may be adopted; for example, suchas aredescribed or generated by the partial revolution about by the revolutionor partial revolution of a bent line, or line including one or moreangles, that is to say, such a line as, together with the axis of'revolution, forms a rectangular or triangular figure in general outline.

Variability of the capacity ofv the condenser may be efected by adaptingthe positive and negative condenser elements to be rotatable relativelyto one another about an axis commonA to both. Y

The variable condenser may consist of a negative set of shell orcup-like `condenser surface elements and a positive set of shell orcup-like elements, with means for supporting both sets, and for enablingrotary relative movement about a common axis to be effected in order tovary the facing area of the condenser surface elements.

In the accompanying drawings which illustrate one convenient form ofcondenser according to the invention:

Figure 1 is an outside elevation of a condenser indicating the elementsinthe zero.

position.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation in a plane at right angles to that inwhich the rims of the shell or cup elements lie.

Figure 3 is an elevation looking from right to left of Figure 2. igure 4is a sectional plan taken on the lines XY of Figure 3 looking frombeneath and shows the movable shell or cu elements examp e, a plate orframe 1 of brass or other metal has mounted upon it a set or series A of(say positive) hemispherical shells or cups, (numbered 2 to 6), of athin suitable metal. These 'cups 2 to 6 are of diminishing diameter andthe peripheral edges or rims of the cups lie in the same plane, an airspace being provided between each cu and the next adjacent. The spacingof t e cups is carried out so that the distance between each cup and thenext corresponds with the usual practice in connection with the spacingof condenser plates, or to suit the particular requirements for whichthe condenser is intended. While each shell or cup presents a circularrim or edge towards the plane of the brass platey or frame, only aportion (slightly less than a semi-circle) of their rims is mounted inor upon the plate or frame.

For the purpose of mounting the shells or cups, a corresponding seriesor set of grooves are formed in the plate or frame in which a portion(nearly a semicircle) of the rims or peripheries of the cups are fittedand secured. For the purpose of securing these cups two bars 6a and 7`(or members equivalent for the purpose in view) are adapted to passthrough holes 8 provided for the purpose in the walls of the cupsadjacent their rims. These bars 6a and 7 are secured by set screws 9 tothe plate l to which the cups A are to be fixed, and when these screws 9are screwed up they cause the cups to be clamped tightly within theirrespective grooves.

It will be seen that the major sector of the cups is open andunobstructed while the minor sector is covered `by the mounting plate orframe (see Figure 3) and that the cups or shells mounted in the abovemannerI are adapted to Vbe stationary.

The electrical connection of the cups for the purposes required iseffected by means of terminal 10, insulated line 11, screw stud 11l andexternal terminal 12.

'Upon the plate or frame 1, or adjacent thereto, suitable insulatedbearings 14, 14, are provided for brass spindle or shaft 15 and locatedso that the axis of the spindle corresponds or coincides with the commonaxis of the cups which lies parallel to the edge of the mounting plateor frame 1. The bearings 14, 1 4, are located each on the outer side ofthe largest (2) of the fixed cups A and support the spindle 15 so rthatit may be rotated therein freely but without any play. The spindle 15 isprovided, between the two bearings 14, 14, with a flattened surface orcut away portion so that a flat surface 16- is provided, which when`turned towards the cups A lies substantially in the same plane as thatof their rims. This surface extends along the spindle a little fartherin each direction than the circumference of the largest or outside cup.Upon this flattened surface 16 grooves are formed and adapted to receivea second series B of hemispherical cups (numbered2I1 to 5a)corresponding to the set A. This second series of cups B is adapted toalternate with the stationary cups A in such a manner that when inposition between these cups they lie without touching them, dividing theair space in accordance with the established practice (see Figures 2 and4). The grooves 17 are so disposed and the second series of cups somounted, with half the rim of each cup lying upon each side of the axisof the spindle, that each cup on the spindle is adapted to pass betweena pair of the fixed cups and lie in the air space to which reference hasalready been made. In order to secure the cups B within their respectivegrooves 17 upon the spindle 15, a bar or rod 18 is provided. The cups Aare each formed with an orifice, near their rims and adjacent theaxis,.th'rough which the bar or rod 18 is passed. Set screws 19 areprovided which engage the rod or .bar 18 and draw it towards the spindle15 whereby the cups B are clamped into their grooves 17.

A suitable terminal 20 is provided and connected with the spindle 15 bya coiled lead 21 located between two insulated discs 22. This lead 21establishes a contact with the spindle 15 while `at the same timeperm1tt1ng the required rotation of the said spindle. The terminal 20connects with the external terminal 13. I In order to accommodate themounting of the spindle in the necessary' position, and the mounting ofthe cups A and B by the aid of bars above referred to, the fixed seriesof cups A are mutilated orcut. away at the extremities of theirdiameters (as at 23) and the moving cups have portions of their rims cutaway (as at 24) to accommodate the mounting bars supporting the fixedcups A.

Around the upper end of the spindle 15 a head piece 25 of suitablematerial is pro vided to which is connected by screw thread means, a boxor container 26 adapted to en` close the operative part of theapparatus.

-Upon an extension 27 a disc 28 is mounted and marked with a suitablescale 29. For the urpose of manipulating the condenser a mi led head 30is secured to the extension 27 whereby the spindle 15 may be rotated.

I'n operation it will be appreciated that upon rotating the spindle 15the series of (say, negative) cups B mounted thereon will move orrevolve relatively to the fixed cups A and will occupy or take up anydesired position in reference theretoaccording to the capacity which itis desired the condenser should for the moment possess-intermediate theposition in which the moving and fixed cups lie entirely witha in oneanother (Figures v2 and 3)--withA their` per1pher1es or rims 1n the sameplane-and that positionthe zero position-in which the series areentirely free of one another in which position the moving and fixedhemispheres together present substantially the appearance vof a sphere(Figure 1, dotted position).

In Figure 4, it will be observed that the cups B have received a partialrotation through 90o so that the effectivev areas of the condenser is50% of the full capacity.

Having now described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. A variable electrical condenserAcomprising a plurality of condenser surface elements each in the form ofa cup or shell such as is generated by-the partial revolution about anaxis of a line which cuts the axis at two points, and means forsupporting said condenser surface elements coaxially so that relative.rotary movement may be effected between the elements for the purpose ofvarying their effective or facing area to vary the capacity of the con.denser.

2. A variable electrical condenser comprising condenser surface elementsof graduated size, each of which is in the form of a cu or shell such asis generated by the partial revolution about an axis of a line whichcuts the axis at two points, ar-

ra ed in two sets, the elements of each set eing fixed in relation toone another and nested together so that a space is pro` vided betweenthe elements whereby each series of elements may be introduced into thespaces of the other series upon relative rotary movement taking place.

3. A variable electrical condenser com-` prising .a plurality ofcondenser surface ele-- ments each in the form of a cup or shell such asis generated by the partial revolution about an axis of a line whichcuts the axis at two points, means for fixedly and coaxially supportingcertain of the condenser surface elements, means for rotatably`suplporting certain other of the condenser surface elements about the'same axis as-that about which the fixed elements are mounted whereby therotatably mounted condenser elements can be rotated relatively to otherelements for the purpose of varying the eiiective or facing area of thecondenser elements to vary the capacity of the condenser and means forconnecting certain of the elements negatively andi the other elementspositively in an electric circuit.

4. A variable electrical condenser, comprising condenser surfaceelements of graduated size, each of which is in the form of a cup orshell such as is generated by the partial revolution about an axis of aline which cuts the axis at two oints, arranged in two sets, the,elements oi) together so that a space is provided between the elementswhereby each series of elements may be introduced into the spaces of theother series upon relative rotary movement taking lace, and means forconnecting one set otp elements negatively and the other set positivelyin an electric circuit.

5. A variable electrical condenser comprising a plurality of condensersurface elements each in the form. of a semispherical cup, means forsupporting said condenser surface elements co-axially so that relativerotary movement may be effected between the elements for the purpose oflvarying the effective or facing area of the condenser to vary thecapacity of the con-v denser, and means for connecting certain of theelements negatively and the other elements positively in an electriccircuit.

6. -A variable electrical condenser comprising'two sets of condensersurface elements of graduated size, each element being in the form of asemi-spherical cup, the elements of each set being fixed in relation toone another and nested together so that a semi-spherical space isprovided between the elements whereby each series of elements vmay beintroduced into the spaces of the other series upon relative rotarymovement taking place and means for connecting one each set beingfixedin relation to one another and nested set of elements positively and theother set negatively in an electric/circuit.

7. A variable electrical condenser comprising two sets of condensersurface elements of graduated size, each element being in the form of acup orshell such as is generated by the zpartial revolution about anaxis of a line which cuts the axis at two points, the elements of eachset being fixed in relation to one another and nested together so that aspace is provided between the elements, a rotatable spindle carrying oneset of elements and connected to a terminal of one polarity,a stationaryframe member carrying the other set and connected to the terminal of oposite polarity, the movable set of elements E eing so situated 1nrespect to the other set that upon rotation in the form of'a! cup orshell such as is`gen,

erated by the p rtial revolution vabout an axis ofga line -w ich cutsthe axis, at two points, the elements of each set being fixed inrelation to one another and nested together so that a space is'providedbetween the elements, a rotatable spindle having grooves formed thereinin which the elements of one set are mounted, -clamping means forsecuring the said elements in vsaid grooves, the spindle being connectedto a ltermina-l of one polarity, a stationary frame member havinggrooves formed therein in which. the elements of the other .set aremounted, clamping means for securing these elements in their grooves,said frame member being connected .to the terminal or opposite polarity,the movable set of elements being so situated in respect to the otherset that upon rotation of the spindle the ele ments carried by thelatter can be caused to move in the spaces of the stationary set for thepurpose o't varying the effective or facing area of the two sets ofelements.

9. A variable electrical condenser comprising two sets ot condensersurface elements of graduated size,each element being in the form of a.cup or shell such as is generated byl the artial revolution about anaxis of a line W lich cuts the axis at two points, the elements of eachset being fixed in relation to one another and nested together so that aspace is provided between theelements, a rotatable spindle havinggrooves formed therein iu which theelements of one set are mounted, aframe member having grooves formed therein in which the elements of the`other set are mounted, bar members adapted to pass through orifices inlIO the elements of each set und secured t0 the supportof the elementsas by screwthread* ed means, said spindle and frame member beingrconnected, one positivelyand the other negatively, in :1n electriccir-cuit. the movableA set of elements being so situated in respect t0the other set that upon rotation of the spindle the elements carried bythe lut-ter can be caused 'to'inove in the spa'ees of the stationarysety for the purpose of varying the effective or facing urea of the twosets of ele# ments. i

In testimony whereof I have signed my name t0 this speciition.

FREDERICK r GEORGE GOLDSTONE.

